By RORY O’NEILL
OAK Park jumped out of the blocks early with three quick goals under a strong wind.
The Tigers kicked their first major late in the term, only to have Jack Pascu finish off with a fourth goal for the Parkers.
Oak Park went inside 50 18 times in the quarter to Westmeadows’ nine and led at the first change 4.5.29 to 1.1.7.
It took 15 minutes for Westmeadows to score the first goal of the quarter. The Tigers kicked another two in succession and at the major break led 5.3.33 and kept Oak Park goalless at 4.6.30.
During the half time break, Westmeadows coach David Connell instructed his players that although Oak Park would have the wind behind them in the third quarter, they would not drop an extra player back and would maintain their six forwards.
Ben Chapman, the Kangaroos’ coach, implored his players to play smart footy and increase the tackle count inside their own 50.
With Westmeadows’ smaller players moving the ball along the clubroom wing, they were able to spot up their forwards to kick three goals into the stiff breeze.
Oak Park conceded two 50-metre penalties, courtesy of Rhys Bloomfield; and the Parkers struggled to only kick 1.5 with the aid of the breeze, missing several set shots.
At the three-quarter time break, Westmeadows held a handy two goal lead and were confident of victory knowing they had the use of the wind in the last quarter.
Both sides increased their tackling rate in the last quarter, especially the Parkers, who laid game-changing tackles.
With an early goal to Paul Tripp, followed by Michael Dalrymple, scores were level.
Westmeadows responded with Robert Mullen taking a contested mark and with a straight kick gave the Tigers a one-point lead.
Oak Park pressed and with a goal to Daniel Rajab, headed the Tigers.
In the last few minutes of the match, the Westmeadows forward line tried valiantly to score, but their inaccuracy cost them dearly.
In the end, Oak Park ran out eventual winners 9.11.65 to 9.8.62.
After the game, an elated Ben Chapman praised his players for their ability to apply pressure and hang in the contest.
He felt that at three-quarter time, his team had their backs against the wall but took the game on in the final quarter.
He hopes the Kangaroos will win enough games to make the finals in 2016.
In contrast, disappointed Tigers coach David Connell felt that there were two five-minute periods where the opposition outplayed his team.
He believed that the most positive period in the match was his side’s third quarter effort where they transitioned the ball efficiently. He too hopes his team will play finals this year.
Westmeadows | 9.8-62
Best: A. Evans, M. Church, D. Willox, C. Campbell, T. Abdallah, J. Hollow
Goals: M. Church 3, J. Foster 2, R. Mullen, C. Campbell, T. Abdallah, J. Hollow
Oak Park | 9.11-65
Best: A. Harris, D. Rajab, L. Howard, J. Hemmens, S. Bryce, S. Potter
Goals: L. Molloy 2, D. Rajab, R. Bloomfield, T. Anderson, M. Dalrymple, J. Pascu, P. Tripp, C. Hare
